Fierce Atmospheres
The Versailles Records Sessions
Out: 05 September 2025
Playing time: 53:45
The Progressive Metal band Fierce Atmospheres was founded in 2001 in Austin (Texas). The band is now apparently based in Champaign and Chicago (Illinois). The list of former members is very long, so Fierce Atmospheres have an eventful history behind them. After two demos (2003, 2008), the first EP ‘Where Night and Day Begin’ was released in 2012. Another EP (‘Forsaken’) followed in 2015, and it wasn’t until 2018 that the debut album ‘Pariahs, Misfits and Sinners’ was released. ‘The Speed of Dreams’ followed three years later. The current album ‘The Versailles Records Sessions’ is probably a tribute to the bands that have influenced the band’s sound. The ten cover versions were recorded over several years by Versailles Records in Nashville.
The Iron Maiden classic ‘Children Of The Damned’ (1982) kicks things off. Close to the original. Although singer Al Rybka’s vocals do not quite reach the quality of singer Bruce Dickinson, he still does an exceptionally good job. Next, the musicians try their hand at ‘Achilles Last Stand’ (Led Zeppelin 1976). The original has an epic length of ten and a half minutes. The cover also just scrapes the ten-minute mark. But it is much more rocking. An interesting new interpretation. There are also more or less great deviations from the respective originals in the following. However, this is not a criticism of the cover versions. ‘Master Of Puppets’ (Metallica 1986) is an own interpretation by Fierce Atmospheres. And not a bad one. Three songs by Black Sabbath made it onto the album, of which ‘Children Of The Sea’ (1980 with Ronnie James Dio) is the highlight for me. But ‘A National Acrobat’ (1973) is also well done. However, my favourite is the cover version of ‘Perfect Strangers’ (Deep Purple, 1984, vocals by Ian Gillan).
‘The Versailles Records Sessions’ is a well-made cover album. Fierce Atmospheres succeed in retaining the character of the songs. This is a reflection of the good musicians who have recorded this album. The biggest differences can be found in the vocals. Al Rybka is a great singer, but the performers of the original songs are too diverse. He doesn’t even try to imitate them, but puts his own stamp on the songs with his own vocal style.
Lineup:
Eric J. Gosselin – Guitars
Lance King – Bass, Backing Vocals
Al Rybka – Vocals
Nate Zihala – Drums (live)
Track list:
- Children Of The Damned (Iron Maiden)
- Achilles Last Stand (Led Zeppelin)
- Master Of Puppets (Metallica)
- A National Acrobat (Black Sabbath)
- After Forever (Black Sabbath)
- Billion Dollar Babies (Alice Cooper)
- Screaming For Vengeance (Judas Priest)
- Take Me To The Top (Mötley Crüe)
- Children Of The Sea (Black Sabbath)
- Perfect Strangers (Deep Purple)
